Not inherently intelligible with Bengali [ben], although considered a nonstandard Bengali dialect. Dialects form a continuum from north to south, with a larger religious distinction between Muslim and others. Rohingya [rhg] in Myanmar is reportedly similar to the southern dialect of Chittagonian. Lexical similarity: 43%–64% with Bangla [ben].

Language Use

Home, family, religion. Many also use Bengali [ben], especially educated people who understand it but are not comfortable using it. Village women without access to television do not understand Bengali. Used as L2 by Bengali [ben], Chakma [ccp], Marma [rmz], Mru [mro], Rakhine [rki], Rohingya [rhg], Tippera [tpe].